Juneau -- State game officials will have more flexibility in handling potential biological emergencies if a bill introduced February 17th in the State Senate becomes law.

Senate Bill 74, sponsored by Senator Pete Kelly (R-Fairbanks), would allow the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to engage in aerial shooting for the purpose of predator-prey management.

"There are times when the Department of Fish and Game must take prompt action to protect valuable game populations from disease or excessive predation," said Sen. Kelly. "The process in current law is cumbersome and may result in biological disasters that can be avoided if wildlife managers have the flexibility to effectively handle a crisis. This law provides that flexibility," Sen. Kelly said.

The bill will not allow aerial sport hunting, points out Sen. Kelly. It is designed to restore a vital management tool effectively eliminated by an initiative passed in 1996.

"People tend to confuse predator management with sport hunting," said Sen. Kelly. "This legislation is not about sport hunting, it's about necessary and humane game management at the department level," Kelly said.

SB 74 now goes to the Senate Natural Resources committee for review.